A significant portion of the South African population comes from low-income or underserved households, and the high costs associated with medical aid and professional care make it extremely challenging for them to access the eye health services they need.

This initiative primarily aims to restore, or at least improve, the vision of those affected, helping them regain a sense of autonomy and dignity. Furthermore, it seeks to empower individuals who have lost employment due to poor eyesight, giving them the opportunity to return to the workforce.

Goals

The goal of this project is to provide eye care to underserved populations in Makhanda and surrounding areas, including individuals, schoolchildren, and families living in remote communities.

Activities

Project activities may include:

• Improving access to primary eye care, including services aimed at reducing refractive blindness and preventing both reversible and non-reversible forms of vision loss. This may involve offering affordable consultations, providing free or low-cost glasses and treatments, conducting free cataract removal surgeries, and referring patients for further consultations with ophthalmologists. Services may be delivered at the Dr Davies Clinic or through outreach visits to remote communities.
• Training and employing staff for the Dr Davies Clinic, to ensure long-term sustainability and the continued provision of high-quality eye care within the community.

Myriad Canada is working with the Eiohn Hayes Fund on this project, a non-profit initiative administered by the ICPD Trust. The Fund was established to address the critical gaps in primary eye health services in South Africa, particularly in the Makhanda district. Its mission is to combat the lack of accessible and affordable consultations, treatments, and eyeglasses for individuals from disadvantaged or low-income communities.